Trips north of the border are rarely an opportunity for England to indulge in the local hospitality and, with the Saltire of proposed Scottish independence fluttering in the air, the hosts' desire to scalp the Sassenachs will be greater than ever.

England, in their first match of Peter Moores' second coming, must grasp the thistle after an horrendous winter. The talk may be of a new era but the squad is made up of familiar faces ready to start rebuilding reputations against Scotland, as long as the weather plays ball. Alastair Cook, back in charge and with a jauntier mien after a couple of months off, knows a banana skin when he sees one and, as many have pointed out, there should be nothing for England to be complacent about at the start of their international season.

The mood in Scotland is buoyant as they prepare to host their partners in the Union for the third time and they will have noted the result in England's last outing, against Netherlands at the World T20. Scotland qualified for the 2015 World Cup in February, under the temporary coaching partnership of Paul Collingwood and Craig Wright, and that has provided extra stability, as well as funding. Wright remains in charge for now, until Grant Bradburn, the former New Zealand spinner, takes over in July, while Kyle Coetzer, Scotland's Aberdonian captain, will be one of several county players out to impress.

England's narrow failure to win the Champions Trophy last summer seems like it was from another age but the nucleus of the squad remains pretty similar: eight of the team that faced India in the final could be involved against Scotland. The World Cup is nine months away and both sides have plans to put in place. For Scotland, where nationalists hope to sunder more than 300 years of Union, a first win over the "auld enemy" could have even wider significance.

Scotland have some promising young batsmen in Calum MacLeod - a former seamer who now opens - Sussex's Matt Machan and Freddie Coleman of Warwickshire but the greatest weight of expectation may fall on Preston Mommsen. The 26-year-old, born in Durban, finished as second-leading run-scorer at the World Cup Qualifier, Man of the Match after making an unbeaten 139 in the final, and Man of the Series. He also stepped in to captain Scotland when Coetzer suffered an injury but it will be his ability to lead the way with the bat in Scotland's middle order that could influence proceedings in Aberdeen.

It seems certain that most eyes will be on Alastair Cook. Since his last England appearance, in Adelaide in January, two coaches - Andy Flower and Ashley Giles - have departed, Paul Downton has taken over as managing director and Kevin Pietersen's international career has been summarily foreclosed. Cook's batting mentor, Graham Gooch, has also lost his place in the coaching set-up, while Moores and Paul Farbrace have been appointed to rebuild. Cook is now indisputably the figurehead and while good "team ethic" is a noble aim, good team performances are even more important. In this regard, Cook loves to lead by example.

Pitch and conditions

The Scottish weather has not hung out the bunting for England and the outfield was soaked by rainfall on Thursday. More showers are forecast but hopefully there will be enough bright patches to get a game in. The pitch is unlikely to be a belter, although New Zealand did once score 400 in Aberdeen. Scotland's two ODIs against Kenya last summer, when the 242 for 4 was the highest score, may provide a closer gauge.

Team news

Coetzer has recovered from the wrist injury that limited his participation in the World Cup Qualifier, so he should return to open the batting. Richie Berrington's hamstring problem could lead to a recall for allrounder Josh Davey, while Michael Leask provides another spin-bowling option.

Cook missed the ODIs in the West Indies that formed part of England's World T20 preparations, meaning he resumes the captaincy for the first time since Australia. Stuart Broad is not included, as he rehabilitates his knee, leaving James Anderson to lead an otherwise inexperienced attack, while Joe Root returns after breaking his thumb. The main questions centre on whether Moeen Ali will be preferred to Gary Ballance, or if Chris Woakes will win a first limited-overs cap in almost a year.

The two teams have only ever contested one completed match, with England winning an ODI by seven wickets in 2010

Aberdeen was the location when Don Bradman score his final hundred in Britain, at the back end of the 1948 tour

Scotland's captain, Kyle Coetzer, averages 82.33 at Mannofield Park

Quotes

"They didn't have the winter they'd like to have. Hopefully we can bring back some back bad memories from the winter."Kyle Coetzer has a simple plan to upset England

"You have to remember how lucky you are to wear the shirt and play for our country. Sometimes after a long period when you are away from home and have done it for a while, you forget that."Alastair Cook wants a sense of pride to be restored

Hmm... why didn't they choose to play in the Shetlands instead of Aberdeen!

POSTED BY
jackiethepen
on | May 9, 2014, 8:55 GMT

There is a heads must roll brigade which want to use any single match to despatch certain players. Stephen Westmoreland is no exception. 'No excuses'. But there are actually. Batting in Scotland as far North as Aberdeen in May is as dicey as it gets. It will all be a bit of a lottery for both sides, but you fancy the local side will have an advantage. Of course England ought to win. But to think of a single game in May being a decider of careers is plainly nonsensical. If the pitch is tricky, the match will be tricky, players aren't supermen. It will be a great leveller and could lead to an exciting game. What is wrong with that? Giles got the push because his side were beaten by Holland in a dead rubber? Is that how the ECB works now? Funny that the batting coach's role was never brought into question though. We are told Thorpe is in line to replace Gooch.

POSTED BY
espncricinfomobile
on | May 9, 2014, 8:41 GMT

It is always better choice not to play IPL as it kind if helps the modern day cricketers to concentrate more on test match cricket. in case a country has an entirely different team for T20, they can probably play IPL or any T20 games for that matter. I see guys like Cook, Root, Siddle, Phil Hughes playing county in England. It certainly helps them to be in order for Test commiments coming up. Very few modern players have the capacity to adopt to all formats of the game very quickly namely, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. So i dont think people have got much to worry abt the fact that English players are not playing IPL or big bash.

POSTED BY
on | May 9, 2014, 8:04 GMT

Some very funny ideas here. Particularly the nothing to gain everything to lose perspective, well, so what? All teams have to play matches like this at times, if England show up without actually 'showing up' and they lose then it just 'shows them up' for what they are. Conversely if they thrash the Scots then most people will yawn and go back to their corners, what else would you expect, MBE's?

Also people talking of finished careers for two of Englands best players, neither of whom are even 30 years old.. why the drama? My goodness it is indeed little wonder English cricket is in such a state.

At the end of the day this is about Scottish cricket and they've earned these rare opportunities by fighting their way to the WC next year. When you look through the list of teams they've had to get past to arrive at this point you'd have to say they are deserving of these matches. Good on the ECB for throwing them a few crumbs, needs to be more but it's a step in the right direction.

POSTED BY
-legspin-
on | May 9, 2014, 7:58 GMT

This is really a no win situation. If England win no one will take notice, but if they lose the media will tear us apart like a pack of hounds with a fox. Perhaps, if anything, if someone scores a fair few runs or takes a 5 for, then they can take some form into the Sri Lanka series, however I cant see us winning this game easily in all honesty. Dont get me wrong, I'm not having a go at Moores or the like as it seems so fashionable to do so at the moment, just warning people of the impending detrimental effects of this match.

POSTED BY
hambat
on | May 9, 2014, 7:33 GMT

can't wait to see if morgan turns up, esp if the team is in dire need of his runs. it could/should be his last chance to show his worth at international level or forever be banished.

POSTED BY
YorkshirePudding
on | May 9, 2014, 7:20 GMT

@CricketingStargazer, ts a bit of a leap to suggest broad my not represent England anymore when he's got a case of tendonitis, a condition that a lot of sports men have suffered from and recovered from to have very good international careers.

POSTED BY
CricketingStargazer
on | May 9, 2014, 5:34 GMT

Damned if you win and damned if you lose. A Full Member should never lose a game like this. It should not even be close. So, if England win, everyone will say that it means nothing (as will any runs of wickets). If England lose...

Will no domestic limited overs cricket since September to assess form, you are just making guesses. Hopefully they are good ones, particularly as it looks as if Stuart Broad may not play much more for England.

POSTED BY
on | May 9, 2014, 4:15 GMT

Eng has a history of losing the small games. All the best to Scotland

POSTED BY
espncricinfomobile
on | May 8, 2014, 22:12 GMT

Englend players are cursing themselves by not participating in IPL. Missing big events and experience when whole world is there out in India.

POSTED BY
hambat
on | May 9, 2014, 14:11 GMT

Hmm... why didn't they choose to play in the Shetlands instead of Aberdeen!

POSTED BY
jackiethepen
on | May 9, 2014, 8:55 GMT

There is a heads must roll brigade which want to use any single match to despatch certain players. Stephen Westmoreland is no exception. 'No excuses'. But there are actually. Batting in Scotland as far North as Aberdeen in May is as dicey as it gets. It will all be a bit of a lottery for both sides, but you fancy the local side will have an advantage. Of course England ought to win. But to think of a single game in May being a decider of careers is plainly nonsensical. If the pitch is tricky, the match will be tricky, players aren't supermen. It will be a great leveller and could lead to an exciting game. What is wrong with that? Giles got the push because his side were beaten by Holland in a dead rubber? Is that how the ECB works now? Funny that the batting coach's role was never brought into question though. We are told Thorpe is in line to replace Gooch.

POSTED BY
espncricinfomobile
on | May 9, 2014, 8:41 GMT

It is always better choice not to play IPL as it kind if helps the modern day cricketers to concentrate more on test match cricket. in case a country has an entirely different team for T20, they can probably play IPL or any T20 games for that matter. I see guys like Cook, Root, Siddle, Phil Hughes playing county in England. It certainly helps them to be in order for Test commiments coming up. Very few modern players have the capacity to adopt to all formats of the game very quickly namely, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. So i dont think people have got much to worry abt the fact that English players are not playing IPL or big bash.

POSTED BY
on | May 9, 2014, 8:04 GMT

Some very funny ideas here. Particularly the nothing to gain everything to lose perspective, well, so what? All teams have to play matches like this at times, if England show up without actually 'showing up' and they lose then it just 'shows them up' for what they are. Conversely if they thrash the Scots then most people will yawn and go back to their corners, what else would you expect, MBE's?

Also people talking of finished careers for two of Englands best players, neither of whom are even 30 years old.. why the drama? My goodness it is indeed little wonder English cricket is in such a state.

At the end of the day this is about Scottish cricket and they've earned these rare opportunities by fighting their way to the WC next year. When you look through the list of teams they've had to get past to arrive at this point you'd have to say they are deserving of these matches. Good on the ECB for throwing them a few crumbs, needs to be more but it's a step in the right direction.

POSTED BY
-legspin-
on | May 9, 2014, 7:58 GMT

This is really a no win situation. If England win no one will take notice, but if they lose the media will tear us apart like a pack of hounds with a fox. Perhaps, if anything, if someone scores a fair few runs or takes a 5 for, then they can take some form into the Sri Lanka series, however I cant see us winning this game easily in all honesty. Dont get me wrong, I'm not having a go at Moores or the like as it seems so fashionable to do so at the moment, just warning people of the impending detrimental effects of this match.

POSTED BY
hambat
on | May 9, 2014, 7:33 GMT

can't wait to see if morgan turns up, esp if the team is in dire need of his runs. it could/should be his last chance to show his worth at international level or forever be banished.

POSTED BY
YorkshirePudding
on | May 9, 2014, 7:20 GMT

@CricketingStargazer, ts a bit of a leap to suggest broad my not represent England anymore when he's got a case of tendonitis, a condition that a lot of sports men have suffered from and recovered from to have very good international careers.

POSTED BY
CricketingStargazer
on | May 9, 2014, 5:34 GMT

Damned if you win and damned if you lose. A Full Member should never lose a game like this. It should not even be close. So, if England win, everyone will say that it means nothing (as will any runs of wickets). If England lose...

Will no domestic limited overs cricket since September to assess form, you are just making guesses. Hopefully they are good ones, particularly as it looks as if Stuart Broad may not play much more for England.

POSTED BY
on | May 9, 2014, 4:15 GMT

Eng has a history of losing the small games. All the best to Scotland

POSTED BY
espncricinfomobile
on | May 8, 2014, 22:12 GMT

Englend players are cursing themselves by not participating in IPL. Missing big events and experience when whole world is there out in India.

POSTED BY
JG2704
on | May 8, 2014, 21:38 GMT

I think this is the side I'd have picked from the squad they've picked. I like the balance too - plenty of bowling options - 3 full time pacers , a full time spinner, 2 part time spinners and Ravi's cutters.
The one issue I have is playing Ravi at 6 and Jos at 7. Ravi has shown more urgency with the bat but not enough to put him up the order.I'd also probably go Root above Ali and maybe Morgan and Buttler floating

@MichaelFlynn - Love the comms - but I think it's a big ask

POSTED BY
on | May 8, 2014, 21:37 GMT

This should not be a tricky match for England whatsoever. If England lose, player heads need to roll. No excuses.

POSTED BY
Herath-UK
on | May 8, 2014, 20:18 GMT

Sri Lanka beat the talented Irish team comprehensively in their backyard against a moving ball. England have to do the same to build up their confidence.

POSTED BY
PeerieTrow
on | May 8, 2014, 19:02 GMT

There's no truth in the rumour that "nights are fair drawin in" will replace "bad light stopped play" for this encounter, but CodandChips might be right, the weather could just be "murdur."

POSTED BY
bobmartin
on | May 8, 2014, 18:30 GMT

I fancy weather will be the winner....

POSTED BY
on | May 8, 2014, 16:59 GMT

You have to ask yourself the question. Is the unthinkable possible? A windswept Aberdeen with the ball doing strange things on an uncertain wicket. Is the unthinkable really possible....can England beat Scotland??

POSTED BY
CodandChips
on | May 8, 2014, 16:38 GMT

I agree with the probable team from the squad, though they might go with Ballance over Ali and have Root at 3.

I don't like the squad selection though. Lumb's omission surprised me. He played well in the Windies so why drop him? Given the world cup is only a few months away his his age really an issue?- especially when Rogers is 37.

Woakes is not a white-ball cricketer. I like him as a red-ball allrounder, though his batting this season has been poor.I guess he's better than Bresnan or Dernbach mind.

Given we are 4th in the rankings and have been on the slide in ODIs, surely more of a new approach is needed? I like Gurney as a selection, but I don't see just 1 new face as making all the difference.

Scotland will be tough, though they're no Ireland. Weather will cause issues though.

No featured comments at the moment.

POSTED BY
CodandChips
on | May 8, 2014, 16:38 GMT

I agree with the probable team from the squad, though they might go with Ballance over Ali and have Root at 3.

I don't like the squad selection though. Lumb's omission surprised me. He played well in the Windies so why drop him? Given the world cup is only a few months away his his age really an issue?- especially when Rogers is 37.

Woakes is not a white-ball cricketer. I like him as a red-ball allrounder, though his batting this season has been poor.I guess he's better than Bresnan or Dernbach mind.

Given we are 4th in the rankings and have been on the slide in ODIs, surely more of a new approach is needed? I like Gurney as a selection, but I don't see just 1 new face as making all the difference.

Scotland will be tough, though they're no Ireland. Weather will cause issues though.

POSTED BY
on | May 8, 2014, 16:59 GMT

You have to ask yourself the question. Is the unthinkable possible? A windswept Aberdeen with the ball doing strange things on an uncertain wicket. Is the unthinkable really possible....can England beat Scotland??

POSTED BY
bobmartin
on | May 8, 2014, 18:30 GMT

I fancy weather will be the winner....

POSTED BY
PeerieTrow
on | May 8, 2014, 19:02 GMT

There's no truth in the rumour that "nights are fair drawin in" will replace "bad light stopped play" for this encounter, but CodandChips might be right, the weather could just be "murdur."

POSTED BY
Herath-UK
on | May 8, 2014, 20:18 GMT

Sri Lanka beat the talented Irish team comprehensively in their backyard against a moving ball. England have to do the same to build up their confidence.

POSTED BY
on | May 8, 2014, 21:37 GMT

This should not be a tricky match for England whatsoever. If England lose, player heads need to roll. No excuses.

POSTED BY
JG2704
on | May 8, 2014, 21:38 GMT

I think this is the side I'd have picked from the squad they've picked. I like the balance too - plenty of bowling options - 3 full time pacers , a full time spinner, 2 part time spinners and Ravi's cutters.
The one issue I have is playing Ravi at 6 and Jos at 7. Ravi has shown more urgency with the bat but not enough to put him up the order.I'd also probably go Root above Ali and maybe Morgan and Buttler floating

@MichaelFlynn - Love the comms - but I think it's a big ask

POSTED BY
espncricinfomobile
on | May 8, 2014, 22:12 GMT

Englend players are cursing themselves by not participating in IPL. Missing big events and experience when whole world is there out in India.

POSTED BY
on | May 9, 2014, 4:15 GMT

Eng has a history of losing the small games. All the best to Scotland

POSTED BY
CricketingStargazer
on | May 9, 2014, 5:34 GMT

Damned if you win and damned if you lose. A Full Member should never lose a game like this. It should not even be close. So, if England win, everyone will say that it means nothing (as will any runs of wickets). If England lose...

Will no domestic limited overs cricket since September to assess form, you are just making guesses. Hopefully they are good ones, particularly as it looks as if Stuart Broad may not play much more for England.